variants
also skunk
as in dogs
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
he's nothing but a dirty, rotten skunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in bombs
to defeat by a large margin
we ended up skunking them, as our goalie was able to prevent the other team from scoring a single goal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in masters
to achieve a victory over
our football team consistently skunks our traditional rivals Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stings
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
unwilling to let suppliers skunk him, the restaurant owner inspected every shipment before signing off on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skunks
Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Rabies can be found in many other wildlife species, including raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Around 75% of Americans are exposed to raccoons, skunks and foxes — the very wildlife that commonly spread the fatal disease to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The skunk with distemper is stuck in the window well again, chewing incessantly on the garden hose that is coiled up in there.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
His yard now attracts wildlife, including raccoons, skunks and even the occasional coyote.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Authorities found a total of 105 dead animals, including 77 rabbits, 23 chickens, two cats, a duck, a skunk and a squirrel, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
So are the deer, turkeys, skunks, crickets, spiders, ticks, bats, dragonflies, and ospreys.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
Sure enough, there was a cute little skunk staring back at me.
—Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025
Rabies can be found in many other wildlife species, including raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Around 75% of Americans are exposed to raccoons, skunks and foxes — the very wildlife that commonly spread the fatal disease to humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
The skunk with distemper is stuck in the window well again, chewing incessantly on the garden hose that is coiled up in there.
—Miriam Toews
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
His yard now attracts wildlife, including raccoons, skunks and even the occasional coyote.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Authorities found a total of 105 dead animals, including 77 rabbits, 23 chickens, two cats, a duck, a skunk and a squirrel, according to the warrant affidavit.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025
So are the deer, turkeys, skunks, crickets, spiders, ticks, bats, dragonflies, and ospreys.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skunks
Noun
-
The 2-year-old appears to have gotten out into the backyard and opened a kennel where two Rottweilers were being kept, allowing the dogs to get out and attack him, the Valdosta Police Department said in a statement.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The ‘dogs’ proved so popular, in fact, that the 1966 World Cup group game between France and Uruguay had to be moved across London to White City as Wembley’s owners refused to cancel its regular Friday night meeting.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Remind them their worth is non-negotiable When your child fails — gets cut from the team, bombs a test — remind them their value isn't up for debate.—
Jennifer Breheny Wallace,
CNBC,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This storied sandwich is served each year at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia; and many have long tried to replicate the recipe, which seemingly masters the perfect ratio of ingredients for classic egg salad.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Focus is difficult and hardly anyone masters the skill.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Still, losing out on more seasons of Zoë Kravitz playing a lovably bisexual mess navigating New York City particularly stings.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The right to due process is enshrined in both the federal and Massachusetts Constitutions, so any accusation otherwise stings.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Serpentarium visitors can meet and pet Fáfnir and a number of snakes and alligators at the grand opening, Wilson said.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
The entire concert is a spectacle — all black and red, smoke and snakes.—
Janey Tracey,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So unless Benito uncharacteristically whips out a slate of cover songs, his set will be entirely in Spanish.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
29 Sep. 2025
-
So the magnetic field has to stay synchronized with the increasing mass of the particle, ramping up in strength as the particle whips around.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
See video … WATCH CHARLIE HURT – Shutting the government down defeats the whole purpose of the Democratic Party.—
,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Mighty Bhima, strongest of the Pandava brothers, defeats Duryodhana by breaking his thighs and crushing his genitals with his mace, literally hitting him below the belt.—
Seamus Sullivan
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, the new fuel cell overcomes this challenge with its lightweight design.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Saginaw’s surge overcomes Boswell The Pioneers of Boswell dominated play in the opening half, building a 21-0 lead that looked rock solid behind a persistent defense and an offense balanced with good running and passing.—
Pat Wheeler,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skunks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skunks. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share